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Capsular contracture is a common worry among breast augmentation candidates. The condition is characterized by hardened breast or scar tissue forming around the implants. Consequently, the shape of the breast implants can become distorted, or the patient may experience discomfort.

Dr. Scott Miller uses a number of precautions and techniques during breast augmentation surgery to minimize the risk of capsular contracture and deliver beautiful, lasting results. Patients who choose a subpectoral placement, in which the breast implant is positioned below the chest muscle, typically exhibit lower rates of capsular contracture. As an added benefit, this implant position can also help reduce the risk of rippling.

Secondly, when performing the procedure, Dr. Miller takes every available precaution to avoid unnecessary preoperative handling of the implant as well as minimize contact during surgery. These techniques can help mitigate the risk of capsular contracture resulting from bacterial contamination.

Finally, when patients select form-stable cohesive gel implants, the risk of capsular contracture is also reduced while providing exceptionally natural-looking results. Though it is impossible to completely eliminate the chance of capsular contracture, our patients can have peace of mind that Dr. Miller prioritizes patient safety during breast surgery with techniques that can greatly minimize postoperative complications.

If you would like to learn more about the risks and benefits of breast augmentation, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, please contact us today.

Breast augmentation is consistently one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries every year. More and more women are realizing the enhancement potential of breast implants, and when the procedure is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, they can achieve the shapely figure they desire with a low risk of complications.

While there was a brief period of time in the 1980s when silicone implants were believed to pose health risks to women, no definitive connection between these implants and serious disease was established. As a result, the FDA lifted the restrictions that were placed on breast augmentation with silicone implants at that time. Silicone implants are now extremely popular due to their natural look and feel. However, compared to saline implants, is is more difficult to detect implant rupture. Dr. Scott Miller recommends that women with silicone implants schedule an MRI about once every three to five years to make sure the integrity of their implants remains intact.

Regardless of which type of implant you choose, there are some possible long-term effects of breast implants that candidates should carefully consider before undergoing the procedure. Breast implants are subject to changes in shape over time, rupture, or cause capsular contracture (a hardening of the surrounding tissue). Consequently, some breast augmentation patients may eventually wish to undergo breast revision surgery to correct these changes.

Dr. Miller also stresses to his patients that while breast augmentation is reversible, the breast tissue may be permanently altered and the breasts may not return to their original shape. Dr. Miller spends time during the consultation process carefully reviewing all of the risks and benefits of breast augmentation, allowing patients to make well-informed decisions about their bodies and their health. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Miller, or if you have additional questions about breast augmentation, please contact us today.

There is a common misconception that breast implants need to be replaced every ten years. While some women will want to replace their implants during the first ten years after their initial breast augmentation, these breast revision surgeries are typically performed for aesthetic reasons. Another reason for breast revision surgery is to replace a deflated or ruptured implant; however, this need for surgery is not too common. In fact, there is only about a 1% chance of rupture per year. In other words, after ten years, there is still 90% chance that your original breast implants will still look and feel exactly the same.

Breast implants have the ability to last a lifetime, but because they are man-made devices, the implant manufacturers must state that they are not designed to last forever. Ruptures and implant deflations do occur, and in these cases a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in breast revision surgery can swap out the damaged implant with a new one. For patients with saline implants, a rupture in the silicone shell will be immediately obvious. It is not dangerous, but for cosmetic reasons you should seek the help of a plastic surgeon as soon as possible. Ruptures in silicone implants, on the other hand, can take awhile to notice, as the gel that composes the implant is form-stable, that is, it does not leak. Dr. Miller recommends that patients with silicone implants consider an MRI to screen for any possible ruptures. 10 years after their initial breast augmentation, and once every 5-10 years afterward to help ensure they retain a youthful, beautiful appearance.

If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation, breast revision surgery, or to schedule your consultation with Dr. Miller, please contact our office today.

Breast revision surgery is typically performed when a woman is unhappy with the results of her initial breast augmentation. Since patients who undergo revision surgery already have scar tissue around the breasts, finding a board-certified plastic surgeon that has experience with breast revision procedures can be essential for a successful outcome. There are many reasons why women choose breast revision surgery, including replacement of a deflated implant, capsular contraction, or seeking improvement in the look or feel of the breast. Some women want to change the position of the implant to gain benefits of a sub pectoral (under the muscle) placement.

For new patients who have never had breast implants, Dr. Scott Miller typically recommends implant placement below the muscle due to a number of advantages compared to over-the-muscle placement, such as:

More natural looking results, especially for slimmer women

More natural feel, since more of the body’s tissues and muscles are covering the implant

Mammograms can show more of the natural breast tissue

Nipple sensation is better protected because the nerves to the nipple run on top of the pectoral muscle and can be more safely avoided during surgery

Risk of capsular contracture can be reduced by 50%

For women who already have implants but are interested in breast revision to more closely achieve their desired results, Dr. Miller examines the pros and cons with each patient during the consultation process. These take into account age, extent of surgery necessary, amount of benefit to be gained by proceeding. After discussing the potential outcomes as well as the added recovery time, you can make a well-informed decision about whether or not any breast revision surgery is right for you, including changing the implant pocket location.

To learn more about breast implant placement, we encourage you to watch Dr. Miller’s RealSelf video on the topic:

If you would like to set up a consultation to discuss your options, please feel free to contact us.

In general, Dr. Scott Miller recommends that most patients wait to undergo breast augmentation until they are finished having children and breastfeeding. However, he also understands that even with careful planning, patients may change their minds. If you are one of these individuals, the good news is that a pregnancy after breast augmentation should not impact the integrity of your breast implants.

Even without becoming pregnant, your breasts will continue to change slightly as you age. A pregnancy after breast augmentation can increase the degree of these changes, since the natural breast tissues typically swell and enlarge during this time. In addition, after breastfeeding, the natural breast tissues tend to reduce in overall volume and can often leave sagging or excess skin. The presence of a breast implant in this situation can even amplify the amount of skin that becomes stretched.

Ultimately, these changes are not predictable and can vary widely from woman to woman. Following pregnancy and breastfeeding, you can visit an experienced plastic surgeon if you are unhappy with the new appearance of your breasts. In most cases, a breast lift can be performed to eliminate sagging and excess skin, returning your breasts to a more youthful position. Additionally, a second breast augmentation can be performed if you feel your breasts have lost a significant amount of overall volume. Also known as breast revision surgery, this procedure allows you to increase the size of your implants and restore the shape of the breasts to your pre-pregnancy figure.

To learn how you can achieve your cosmetic goals with breast surgery, please contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Miller.

The reasons a woman decides to undergo breast augmentation are both personal and unique to the individual. While our popular culture commonly associates breast augmentation with women in their 20s or 30s, the truth is that women of all ages seek out an experienced plastic surgeon to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. According to Dr. Scott Miller, there is no particular age limit for breast augmentation; the most important criteria is that you are in good overall health to undergo surgery and that you maintain realistic expectations for the procedure.

During the consultation process, Dr. Miller will conduct a physical exam, review your medical history, discuss your cosmetic goals, and determine if you are a good candidate for breast augmentation. It is important to remember that breast augmentation is designed to increase the size of the breasts to create a fuller bust line and a more proportionate figure. Conversely, a breast lift is designed to reverse the effects of the natural aging process, reduce sagging, and elevate the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest wall.

Some of our older patients wish to address both of these common concerns simultaneously and opt to combine breast augmentation using breast implants with breast lift surgery for a more comprehensive rejuvenation. Your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Miller is a time to openly communicate your wants and goals so he can create a custom-tailored surgical approach that can meet your needs and expectations.

For more information about breast augmentation, breast lift, or to schedule your consultation with Dr. Miller, please contact us today.

When it comes to breast augmentation, there are several decisions that contribute to the final results. From implant size to incision location, there’s no doubt the process can be overwhelming without the right guidance. Our experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Scott Miller, is committed to helping patients understand how each decision can affect their outcome. One question that many patients have, however, is whether to get their implants over or under their muscle.

Better is Better
While each option can offer beautiful results for the right individual, Dr. Miller must assess each individual to determine which implant placement can potentially help them achieve the most natural look. For most women, placing the implant partially underneath the chest muscle wall offers a more natural contour. Other advantages of partial submuscular placement (also known as partial retropectoral placement or dual plane augmentation) include a more natural feel (there is more you between the world and the implant), less chance of hardening of the capsule (better blood supply and constant muscle “massage” of the implants), better preservation of nipple sensation (the nerve runs above/superficial to the muscle), and the ability of mammograms to visualize the breast tissue more fully. Dr. Miller especially recommends this route to those with little to no breast tissue because the extra layer of tissue can provide a more subtle slope to the breast curve, while also disguising implant appearance.

Never Say Never
For patients with adequate breast tissue, thicker skin and particularly if a subglandular implant is already in place, Dr. Miller may suggest leaving the breast implants over the muscle. A benefit to this approach is the recovery is typically shorter and more comfortable, since the muscle does not undergo the additional trauma. For over-the-muscle placement, Dr. Miller definitely recommends silicone implants, as there is less risk of rippling, like that of saline-filled implants.

Since there is no objective way of knowing what will look the best and most natural, Dr. Miller encourages patients to seek a board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly experienced in breast augmentation.

For more information about your implant options, or to schedule your consultation with Dr. Miller, please contact us today.

One of the most common concerns among breast augmentation patients is selecting breast implants that are either too big or too small. With nearly 20 years of experience performing the popular procedure, Dr. Scott Miller has perfected the art of the consultation to ensure patients are receiving the most appropriate implant size for their aesthetic goals. He works closely with each individual to discuss what they hope to achieve through surgery and conducts a physical examination to determine what their personalized treatment plan should entail.

During the exam, Dr. Miller will take measurements of the patient’s anatomy and assess how much breast tissue is currently present. He encourages patients to bring in photo examples of breast looks that they like, such as from his before-and-after gallery, to help him fully understand what they desire. Furthermore, he uses specialized breast implant sizers, made to optimally mimic the appearance a given implant will have in the patient’s body. Placed in a bra and under a t-shirt, these allow patients to see how their clothes will drape and body shape will be impacted with various implant sizes and profiles. With these details, he can recommend a range of breast implant sizes that may help the patient reach their ideal outcome.

Throughout the consultation process, Dr. Miller encourages patients to ask any questions they may have, so he can thoroughly address every concern, helping them make the most informed decision about their surgery.

Renee’s first visit to our practice was to support a friend coming in for a consultation. Throughout the entire meeting, she remembers feeling very impressed with Dr. Scott Miller and the team. She was already interested in undergoing cosmetic surgery, but it wasn’t until she consulted with Dr. Miller that she was ready to start the process.

As a VP at an autoparts firm, Renee spends a lot of her time interacting with customers. Starting to see the effects of aging, she wanted to take a few years off her appearance while maintaining a natural look. Plastic surgeon Scott Miller, M.D. went through the different treatment options that could potentially provide the subtle anti-aging effect Renee desired.

Renee ultimately underwent a modified abdominoplasty, breast augmentation using saline implants, facial tuck, and an upper and lower lid blepharoplasty. She has been very impressed with her results, noting the fact that she looks and feels more youthful. “I couldn’t say enough about Dr. Miller and his team,” says Renee. She describes the team as “outstanding,” explaining how the staff immediately made her feel comfortable, paving the way for the rest of her positive experience. Reflecting on her plastic surgery decision, Renee says she had no hesitation whatsoever because she was confident in Dr. Miller’s expertise and felt completely at ease.

To others considering cosmetic treatment, the 50-year old mother of two and new grandmother expresses: “Why wait until you’re 80 years old and can’t enjoy the results of your surgery? I can tell you firsthand that it’s worth it.”

To learn which treatment or combination of treatments may help you achieve your cosmetic goals, contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Miller.

Regarded as a leader in plastic surgery, Dr. Scott Miller was recently featured on the Expert Beacon–an online resource for people to find advice from experts in their respective fields. In the first video displayed below, Dr. Miller explains how patients can get the most out of their breast augmentation consultation and thereby make an informed decision. He notes the importance of finding a board-certified platic surgeon , sharing your aesthetic goals, and communicating any concerns you may have to make sure you are getting a comprehensive overview of what to expect.

In the second video seen below, Dr. Miller discusses how to achieve a balanced contour with a facelift. He explains patients should set goals that include aesthetic shape, overall symmetry, smoother skin, and facial definition to attain the most natural-looking results.

To learn more about our cosmetic procedures, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, please contact us today. We will be happy to answer your questions.